AN2048
Application note
PD54008L-E: 8 W - 7 V LDMOS in PowerFLAT packages
for wireless meter reading applications
Introduction
STMicroelectronics has been strongly involved in finding new package solutions for power
integrated circuits to obta in a surface mount device (SMD). The PowerFLAT™ package
introduced in this application note shows the new concept of chip-size packaging
representing a fundamental step to reduce the costs of assembly and to shrink power
amplifier modules. This package helps maximize board space with improved electrical and
thermal performances over traditional packages with leads. This leadless package is an
MLP (micro leadframe pac kage) where th e electrical connect ions are mad e through landing
pads on the bottom surface of the component. These landing pads are soldered directly to
the pc board.
Figure 1. MLP cross section Figure 2. Intermodulation distortion versus
peak effective output power
The standard MLP has an exposed die attach pad which enhances the thermal and
electrical characteristics enabling high-power and high-frequency applications. For small
and medium-power applications, such as wireless PMR (private mobile radio) LDMOS
(Laterally Diffused MOS) transistors in PowerFLAT packages offer certain advantages
compared to equivalent bipolar transistors, for example, better intermodulation (IMD3).
Under certain conditions, an LDMOS transistor exhibits better intermodulation distortion
than a bipolar junction transistor. Figure 2 shows intermodulation distortion versus peak
effective o utput po wer f or eq uiv alently r ated bipola r and LDMOS tr ansistors . As w e can see ,
below 30 W, the LDMOS device has lower intermodulation distortion than the bipolar
transistor.
● Good gain linearity
● Smooth saturation
● Simpler bias circuit
● Thermal stability . The drain current has a positiv e temperature coefficient, theref ore the
MOS transistor is not susceptible to th ermal runaw ay.
● Better ruggedness
February 2008 Rev 2 1/13
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Contents AN2048
Contents
1 Basic wireless meter reading system description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2 Electrical requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 Circuit design and considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.1 Amplifier construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4 Circuit schematic and bill of material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5 Transmission line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5.1 Characterization results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
6 Components layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
7 Characterization results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
8 Feature characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
9 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
10 Revision history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
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AN2048 List of figures
List of figures
Figure 1. MLP cross section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Figure 2. Intermodulation distortion versus peak effective output power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Figure 3. Network system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Figure 4. Source and load impedances of PD54008L-E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Figure 5. Device footprint. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Figure 6. Cross section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Figure 7. Broadband power amplifier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Figure 8. Transmission line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Figure 9. Power gain vs. frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Figure 10. Input return loss vs. frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Figure 11. Drain efficiency vs. frequency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Figure 12. Drain efficiency vs. frequency at different drain voltages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Figure 13. Power out vs. drain voltage at different frequencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Figure 14. Impedance data schematic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Figure 15. PCB layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Figure 16. PD54008L-E amplifier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
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Basic wireless meter reading system description AN2048
1 Basic wireless meter reading system description
To reduce cost and difficulties associated with the reading of indoor utility meters for gas,
water and electricity, a new automatic meter reading system has rece ntly been introduced. It
uses radio frequency networks and allows direct data communication between reading
meters and services and/or the billing department. A DTU (Data Transmission Unit) module
that contains a powerful UHF narrow-band radio transmitter is attached to gas, water and
electric utility meters.
Figure 3. Network system
A DCU (Data Collector Unit) is placed in a convenient location within an apartment building
or housing complex.
The DCU contacts daily an NCC (Network Control Computer) and forwards the meter
reading information.
The NCC processes the information and provides billing data and customer support
information. This paper describes a DTU solution using an STMicroelectronics 8 W - 7 V
LDMOS device housed in a PowerFLAT and called PD54008L-E.
2 Electrical requirements
● V
● P
=5 V IDQ = 10 mA frequency band [450 ÷ 470] MHz
DD
= 36 dBm gain flatness < 1dB
out
4/13
AN2048 Circuit design and considerations
3 Circuit design and considerations
The PD54008L-E is an 8 W - 7 V LDMOS housed in a PowerFLAT plastic package (5x5
mm).
Being an internally unmatched device, the PD54008L-E can be used in different portable
applications over HF, VHF & UHF frequency bands.
Table 1 shows the source and load impedances of the PD54008L-E at 500 MHz.
Figure 4. Source and load impedances of PD54008L-E
Table 1. Source and load impedances of PD54008L-E at 500 MHz
F (MHz) Z1 (Ω)Z2 (Ω)
500 0.3+j2.0 1.8+j0.7
The above imp edances are tak en as a starting point to design the input and output match ing
networks of the PD54008L-E amplifier. Microstrip lines and lumped elements are used.
3.1 Amplifier construction
The PCB is made of double-sided copper-clad fiberglass (THK 0.020") with the lowest
dielectric constant (εr = 2.17) and dissipation factor available. The printed circuit board is
glued to copper for dissipation purposes.
Figure 5. Device footprint
5/13
Circuit schematic and bill of material AN2048
Figure 6. Cross section
4 Circuit schematic and bill of material
Figure 7. Broadband power amplifier
Table 2. Bill of material
Components Description
B1, B2 Ferrite bead
C1, C16 300 pF, 100 B ATC chip capacitor
C2, C15 0.8 ÷ 8 pF var. cap. Gigatrim Johanson
C3, C14 4 ÷ 25 pF var. cap. Murata TZBX4Z2 50AA110
C4 7 ÷ 50 pF var. cap. Murata TZBX4R500AA110
C5, C12 120 pF, chip capacitor Murata
C6, C11 0.1 nF, chip capacitor Murata
C8, C9 10 µF, 50 V electrolytic capacitor
C7, C10 1 nF, CHIP capacitor Murata
C13 6.5 30 pF var. cap. Murata TZBX4P300AA110
L 56 nH coilcraft
R1 33 kΩ chip resistor 1/4 W
R4 15 Ω melf resistor 1/4 W
6/13
AN2048 Transmission line
Table 2. Bill of material (continued)
Components Description
R3 1 kΩ chip resistor 1/4 W
J1, J2 SMA connector
Board Arlon DiClad 880 THK 0.020‘‘ ε r= 2.17 2OZ ED Cu both sides
5 Transmission line
The microstrip layout (ger ber files available on request) is shown below in Figure 8.
Figure 8. Transmission line
5.1 Characterization results
After tuning for the best performance the results are as shown in Figure 9.
7/13
Transmission line AN2048
Figure 9. Power gain vs. frequency
Figure 10. Input return loss vs. frequency
8/13
AN2048 Transmission line
Figure 11. Drain efficiency vs. frequency
Figure 12. Drain efficiency vs. frequency at different drain voltages
Figure 13. Power out vs. drain voltage at different frequencies
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Transmission line AN2048
After the electrical analysis, the PD54008L-E was removed from the pcb and the
input/output impedances were measured.
Figure 14. Impedance data schematic
Table 3. Impedance data
F(MHz) Z1 (Ω) Z2 (Ω)
450 1.0+j2.9 1.8+j0.5
460 0.9+j3.0 1.9+j0.7
470 0.9+j3.4 1.9+j0.9
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AN2048 Components layout
6 Components layout
Figure 15. PCB layout
Figure 16. PD54008L-E amplifier
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Characterization results AN2048
7 Characterization results
As we can see from Figure 9, 10 and 11, we can achieve a minimum gain of 12 dB with an
input return loss better than 5 dB and a drain efficiency between 55% and 65% over the
frequency band 445 ÷ 475 MHz.
Even so the output power can be controlled through Vgs, a minimum of 15 dB dynamic
range can be achieved by varying V
(Figure 13). This allows better control of the
dd
transmitted power out and may extend the transmission range capability to more than 3
miles (depending on environment) as requested in some commercial products.
8 Feature characteristics
Other optional functions in which this application may be used are:
● Equipment monitoring
● CO/Methane/Fire detection
● Security/Alarm services
● Data logging
● All VHF and UHF PMR portables
9 References
1. "RF power amplifiers for wireless communications", Artech House
2. "RF transistors meet wireless challenges" - Technical Editor - EDN magazine pag. 53 61, May 3, 2001 - www.ednmag.com.
3. "PowerSO-10RF - The first true RF power SMD Package" - Application Note 1294 STMicroelectronics.
4. "Understanding LDMOS device fundamentals" Application Note 1226 STMicroelectronics.
10 Revision history
Table 4. Document revision history
Date Revision Changes
14-Oct-2004 1 Initial release
06-Feb-2008 2
Document reformatted no content change
PD54008L replaced by PD54008L-E
12/13
AN2048
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